"So, the next chapter will involve a certain secret to be revealed." Adalie said while glancing at both Alberus who noticed it and paled slightly. Fortunately, only the two and TCF! Cale noticed.

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy?" TCF! Cale said with a frown, seeing the worried look in TCF! Alberu's face. "Well, more so than this?"

"Unfortunately, as much as I dislike the idea too," Adalie said with a small frown. "revealing this will be for the betterment of everyone."

"How so?" TBOAH! Jopis asked with an interested face.

"Well, for one thing, it will deepen the trust each of you have with each other." Adalie explained. "And lessen the burden this certain person is carrying. After all, isn't it painful and tiring to hide  everyday?"

'Will you accept?' Adalie telepathically asked both Alberus who hesitantly agreed. They won't admit it but what Adalie said was true. They wanted to stop pretending, even to at least in front of a limited number of people, because faking his whole identity was painful, tiring, and suffocating. Not only that, it was getting harder to breathe as more days passed because he couldn't relax at all unless he wants to risk his identity being exposed. 

"Oh, and before I forget, all of you have to sign this contract before being able to watch the episode." Adalie said while getting a handful of papers out from her backpack. "To those who don't want to sign, they will be kicked out of this room."

"How will you know if we break this?" TBOAH! Beacrox asked while signing. "And is the consequence the same as the before one?"

"For your first question, the answer is because this paper was given to me by the god of death. So, technically, you guys are performing a vow of death just in written form. For the second question, depends on my mood. Has everyone finished signing?"

When she saw some people nod, she smiled and took the papers back, smiling widely when she took the paper from both frozen White Stars who were shocked they unknowingly took a vow of death again. 

Chapter 89: I suppose it is a gift (2)

Cale and Alberu both just quietly observed each other.

"Is this young master Cale's secret or his highness' secret?" TCF! Rosalyn asked while the group of TBOAH! Choi Han thought it was TCF! Cale's secret since they were kind of close with the prince and they haven't found anything that would make him suffocate under the pressure besides the fight for the throne. I mean, wouldn't they notice something was off with the amount of time they spent with the prince? After all, no one can act and keep their façade 24/7. 

"And?"

The crown prince's response at the end of that silence was pretty confident. His face was not shaking at all. Cale shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, so it's the prince's secret that will be shown, noona." TCF! Lock said as many looked interested.

Both Tasha's looked nervous while glancing at their nephew, knowing what the secret was. 

"Just that I can give this to you, but not for free."

Alberu couldn't believe Cale had nothing else to say after giving him such a strong blow.

"Ha, haha-"

Alberu started to laugh. It made Cale wonder what would have happened if there wasn't soundproof magic in the office. Either that, or what would have happened if he hadn't sent the servants and his subordinates out.

The atmosphere turned chilly in the room.

"What did you find out for the crown prince to be this mad?" TBOAH! Eric asked, shock that the prince who was always seen smiling could be angry. Well, it wasn't that surprising because everyone had hidden sides of themselves.

"It might have been better if you didn't tell the prince you know his secret, hyung." TCF! Basen said while looking worried about his brother who was directly facing the prince's wrath. 

"Don't worry, this already happened." TCF! Cale said to calm his friends and family's worries, trying to remember what was going to happen after this conversation. He was sure it was important but had a hard time recalling what it was. 

"I was planning on putting you to work. I shouldn't have told you to come."

Alberu was tired of that mug on Cale's face that was as relaxed as usual. His gaze headed toward the bottle with the black liquid.

'Black liquid?' Eruhaben thought with narrowed eyes. 'Is that what I think it is?'

Mother.

The weight of that word pierced into Alberu's heart.

"That was very insensitive of you, young man!" Jour scolded TCF! Cale who looked baffled. 

"No, I...I'm sorry, your highness." TCF! Cale apologized, knowing that Jour wouldn't be appeased if he gave any reasoning or excuses.

"It's alright." TCF! Alberu said, looking amused at how TCF! Cale was always being scolded by his mother, well a younger version that has no memories of the future. 

'I'm willing to reveal my past if I get to see TCF! Cale get scolded many times.' he sadistically thought before frowning. 'I guess all the stress I accumulated because of him erupted.'

Cale did not say anything else and just sat there observing the crown prince, who was staring at the bottle.

Dark Elf.

Many looked at both Alberus with a suspicious gaze, wondering if he was one or not because they was not confirmation given yet.

They were creatures of the dark that were chastised by the people of the continent because of their affinity to darkness. The base of their power was the dead mana flowing out of the dead.

In the past, Dark Elves tended to be found near graves or villages that were destroyed by illnesses.

That was why people hated Dark Elves, even though the Dark Elves never harmed people nor desecrated corpses.

This led to the Dark Elves living in hiding. They were hiding even better than the Elves.

"A-are you... a dark elf by any chance?" TBOAH! Jack asked nervously, knowing it was not something that can be freely talked about, especially with him who was considered Saint.

"Indeed." TBOAH! Alberu nod with a stoic face, afraid of how they were going to react. TCF! Alberu, on the other hand, was feeling less burdened because he knew that one person, as infuriating he can be, is by his side.

"Oh." Taylor said in shock before quickly calming herself. "Okay."

"How fascinating." TCF! Rosalyn said as she examined TCF! Alberu. "Is that your real hair and skin color?"

"No." TCF! Alberu admitted with a smile. 

"Than can we see your real form?" TBOAH! Choi Han asked TBOAH! Alberu after listening to the answer of TCF! Alberu.

"Sorry, but no." TBOAH! Alberu said. 

"Okay, your highness, we understand." TBOAH! Rosalyn said while nudging TBOAH! Choi Han who was about to speak.  

Meanwhile, both Jacks were silently wondering why they didn't feel the need to do anything to both Alberus who claimed to be a dark elf. 

'Is it because I got better at controlling my powers?' TCF! Jack thought. 

'Is it because of this room?' TBOAH! Jack thought. He didn't think that his powers improved because he never experienced his sister getting hit by dead mana. In his world, the twins were about to escape without getting hit by anything. 

(Note: I am not sure what happened to the twins in the TBOAH! world so I decided that the two safely escaped and that the only reason the twins from the TCF! world got hit was because of the transmigration of Cale. Similar to the concept of how a flap of a butterfly's wings can cause a lot of different ripples, if that made sense.)

Alberu moved his gaze from the glass bottle and looked toward Cale. Cale just smiled back at him.

"And you'll keep your mouth shut?"
"Of course."
"But not for free?"
"Naturally."

"That's very Cale-like." Jung Soo laughed.

"True." Soo Hyuk agreed before smiling mischievously. "I remember the time where I paid Rok, er Cale a hundred won to ignore you for a day. At the end, you were begging to be noticed."

Jung Soo blushed at the memory, ignoring the smirk TCF! Cale had and the laughter of Rok Soo. 

"Why you!" he exclaimed in embarrassment before smirking back. "Have you forgotten the time where you paid Cale five hundred won to be the leader for the day because you were feeling lazy but realized it was a rest day you gave the day before? And Cale didn't even give you back the money and called you 'stupid Lee' for the rest of the week!"

Before the two could continue any longer, they were forced to stop by TCF! Cale who finally remembered what he was forgetting.

"You two... hyungs can fight later during break." he said with a little embarrassment with calling them hyungs but it was the only thing he could think of that will instantly stop the two. "For now, let's finish watching."

True to his thoughts, they did shut up, too surprised by the sudden calling of 'hyung'.

Alberu spoke his honest feelings.

"You sly bastard."
"Why thank you."

Alberu hated how Cale didn't even flinch at what he said. At the same time, he was relieved as well. Cale had come directly to him instead of going to the favored third prince or the second prince who were aiming for his position.

"Why would I do that?" TCF! Cale asked with a raised brow as he looked at TCF! Alberu. "From what I saw, the two are idiotic people who doesn't deserve to rule at all."

"You do know that's insulting a royal and can result to death, right?" TCF! Alberu asked with an amused smile, silently agreeing with TCF! Cale's opinion regarding his step-brothers. 

"Meh, I have you to protect me, your highness, no?" TCF! Cale said with a small shrug.

TCF! Alberu didn't respond, knowing that he will do whatever he can to protect the young master because he was a good ally and, dare he say it, friend.

While the two conversed, the others could only look on with a dumbfounded expression. They were surprised with the fact the crown prince was a dark elf but what shocked them more was how comfortable the two were talking... it was almost like they were brothers. And that was shocking because the two only met during the plaza incident, right?

It meant that Cale wanted to make a deal with him.

That was why he was relieved. It was because Cale was similar to him.

"I take that back." TCF! Alberu told his other self who was looking at him incredulously. "We are not similar at all."

"Oh?" TBOAH! Tasha decided to tease her nephew. "But from what I saw, the two of you are similar. Both of you are leaders, dislike the other princes, rich, an-"

"We aren't." TBOAH! Alberu insisted. 

"Yes, we are different." TCF! Alberu agreed with his other self. "He is wasteful with money while I save mine."

However, he did have a question.

"Are you really not one of us?"

How could Cale know his identity if he was not a Dark Elf as well? Alberu could not figure this out.

"It's because of me, prince!" Raon said with pride. "I told the weak human that you aren't human but it was him who deduced it!"

The only people who knew his identity were his mother's siblings. They had helped him so that his father, the king, would not find out his mother's identity.
They were all on Alberu's side.

Both Alberus turned to their respective aunt and her friends with thankful eyes which was returned with smiles.

Cale pointed to the glass bottle and answered Alberu's question.

"I will die if I drink that."

Dead mana was like an extremely deadly poison for humans.

– Do not worry, human. This mighty dragon will save you no matter what.

Cale just ignored Raon as usual and pushed the glass bottle toward Alberu.

"Don't you need it?"

Alberu came clean with it.

"Of course, it is good if I have it. It will make me stronger. It is clean as well. There are no traces of poison."
"Of course. It is a very precious item."

Cale continued on like what he said next was not surprising.

"Since it is a dead dragon's mana."
"...What?"

"What?!" many people chorused, even both Adins and White Stars.

"Where the fuck did you get dragon bones?" Rasheel asked in shock. "There's very few dragons that existed in the world and most lived in secrecy and in places no one ever discovered. Yet you're telling me you found a dead one?" 

"Yes." TCF! Cale bluntly replied. "Surprised me too."

Alberu could not hide his shock. He then let out a sigh after seeing the smile on Cale's face.

"You're driving me crazy."

Alberu was not speaking like how someone in his position should, but he did not really want to do so today. Instead, he was speaking in the way he spoke to his mother's siblings.

"You really have no plans to say anything about my identity."

It was difficult to find dead mana these days. But it was a dragon's dead mana?

Of course, the amount of dead mana in the glass bottle was minimal. However, the fact that it was a dragon's dead mana would make Alberu become at least three or four times stronger than he was right now.

"Are you strong?" TBOAH! Toonka asked excitedly. "Wanna fight?!"

"No thank you." both Alberus said in sync, a tired look in their eyes. 

'Why does dealing with him seem harder than anyone else?' TCF! Alberu thought before glancing at TCF! Cale. 'Well, besides him of course.'

Alberu could not understand why Cale would give him something so precious, even for a compensation. He thought Cale was someone similar to him, but now it was difficult to understand Cale.

"Why are you asking something so obvious?"

Alberu was at a loss of words after hearing Cale say that it was obvious.
However, it really was the obvious answer for Cale.

'The Roan Kingdom needs to become stronger.'

"Hoh, this bastard." TCF! Alberu laughed in relief, finally knowing what was TCF! Cale's motive was. In all honesty, he was still wary around TCF! Cale and wanted to know what his hidden intention was because all the people he met had other motives like have more power or something. And, while TCF! Cale didn't seem like that, it could have possibly been an act so hearing this now was like removing a huge burden on his shoulders. 

If you took a look at the power struggle between kingdoms right now, the Breck Kingdom and Roan Kingdom were at the bottom. The Whipper Kingdom was on a one-way train to hell under Toonka's leadership, but they were a different story.

Both Alberus, Rosalyns, Pens, and Johns frowned at the reminder that they were at the bottom in the power struggle. 

"What do you mean by that?!" TBOAH! Toonka demanded to TCF! Cale who only ignored him, not finding any reason to explain when it seems TCF! Toonka understood why, even a little.

At the same time, the Southern Jungle was slowly regaining its strength after putting out the fire earlier than in the novel. They all probably respected Litana even more after she brought Cale to the Southern Jungle to put out the fire.

"Thank you for that again, young master Cale." TCF! Litana thanked TCF! Cale.

"No problem, miss Lina." he said with a smile as TBOAH! Litana looked contemplative.

In addition, the Northern Alliance was planning their invasion as well. Alberu was gathering the Whipper Kingdom's mages in order to grow his own influence and prepare for the Northern Alliance's invasion.

However, that was not enough.

'There is also the Wyvern Knights Brigade and the Empire.'

Cale did not know what happened after volume 5. However, people had this treasure called imagination.

'It's obvious.'

The Wyvern Knights Brigade would dominate the air. Once the Imperial Prince shows his greed and reaches his hand out to the Western Continent, the Breck Kingdom and Roan Kingdom will be nothing but candles in front of the wind.

Both Adins smirked proudly, confident that they would dominate the war.

That was why Cale needed the Roan Kingdom to become stronger and have the strength to defend itself in order for him to live a peaceful life. 

"It's really funny how you do so many hard work just for your peaceful life." Rok Soo said. 

"True." TBOAH! Cale agreed. "In my opinion, it would be easier to achieve that life if you don't interact with anyone else and mind your own business. Like, for the war, don't do anything and leave everything to the royal family."

In order to do that, they needed a strong leader to guide them.

'Since it is poisonous for me, I might as well use it to set a good foundation.'

"Of course it has its gains." TCF! Bud said while rolling his eyes. 

But Cale did not want them to be too strong either.
The crown prince was already stronger than he was in the novel.

TBOAH! Alberu frowned at this, knowing it was true but still hurts to listen.

 The Stan family was now also under Taylor's control, which meant that they would side with the crown prince.

Taylor nod in agreement.

One more thing.

Cale said one more thing to Alberu.

"Did you need the Magic Tower?"
"It must be hard to speak like that when you already know about everything."

The number of mages coming under the crown prince, as well as the speed at which they were coming had increased.

"The Magic Tower's liege's summoning device. That was very useful."

Cale had given Alberu one of the items he found in the hidden room on the 21st floor of the Magic Tower. It was an item that belonged to the liege of the tower, allowing the holder to send multiple short messages to all mages of the Whipper Kingdom.

The Magic Tower's liege was the person who rose to the highest spot amongst the Whipper Kingdom's mages and guarded the Magic Tower. It wouldn't make sense for such a person to be unable to contact the mages.

Toonka and his people never found the item because it was hidden on the 21st floor.

TCF! Toonka and TCF! Harol looked at TCF! Cale who shrugged.

"I bought the tower so everything in it is mine." he said.

Cale had delivered this to Alberu through Billos, and Alberu immediately sent a single message to all of the living mages in the Whipper Kingdom.

[The Kingdom of Boulder's future ruler will protect you.]

Alberu, who had benefited a lot from it, wished for Cale to either move the Magic Tower to somewhere in the Roan Kingdom or to restore it. However, he was not in a place to ask for such a thing anymore.

"I don't think I can give you an order or command. Maybe a request."
"I do not have a plan to restore the Magic Tower."

Alberu knew that was what Cale would say. That was why he was trying to slowly convince Cale since he knew that Cale did not like annoying things.

"However, I can eventually give you a part of the blueprints to build the Magic Tower."

"Watching these changed my mind, your highness." TCF! Cale said. "I could do it. With a golden plaque as payment, of course."

"No need." TCF! Alberu said with a tched when he heard that he had to pay. "I'll lose all my money if I keep agreeing with you."

Alberu brushed his face with his hands.

"What do you want?"

Alberu knew that there was no reason to beat around the bush anymore. He was not in control of this discussion right now.

"I need something to happen in two years."

Cale knew that he needed status in addition to money in order to live that slacker life of his dreams.

Why was it great to be a slacker? It was because you didn't need to worry about anybody else other than your family.

Cale didn't want to live a life where he had to report to others. It didn't matter if he was seen as trash, he just wanted to live however he wanted. Eat, sleep, and do nothing. How great would that be?

"Very." many agreed, especially those who had many things to do each day like the prince and Rosalyns.

Cale could see Alberu's expression change as he read the contents of the document. Alberu was looking at it with confusion before his expression turned into a frown and ended with shock as he looked back up at Cale.

"...Just what the hell is this?"

Cale had a short answer for Alberu.

"I believe that is for you to determine, your highness."

Sigh.

Alberu could not help but sigh.

However, Cale was able to leave the office with the contract signed by Alberu.

"I've never felt so iffy after signing something that was beneficial to me."
"I believe you just need to enjoy it since it is a win-win for both of us, your highness."

"I feel so bad for the prince right now." TBOAH! Hannah said while casting a pitying glance to TCF! Alberu.

"Who doesn't?" TCF! Valentino said when he heard what TBOAH! Hannah said. 

It definitely was a win for the crown prince. Cale would keep his identity a secret, give him the bottle of a dragon's dead mana, as well as a portion of the Magic Tower's blueprint in a few years.

He was feeling iffy even though he had received this enormous profit that had a worth that was almost impossible to evaluate in monetary value. It was because Cale was smiling too much.
It was like he was on a field of flowers all by himself.

"Then I will be on my way, your highness."
"Hurry up and leave."

Alberu was telling Cale to leave, but he really didn't want to send Cale away. He wanted to hold Cale here and beat some information out of him. However, he could not do so.

"I won't do it." TCF! Alberu tiringly said when he saw the looks he was getting. He felt like this episode was one were he was targeted. 

'The Forest of Darkness, the Northwestern route, and the sea.'

Alberu could not figure out Cale's intentions in asking for something that was neither money nor material goods.

On the other hand, Cale did not care whether the crown prince knew or not. He quickly got back on his carriage after accomplishing his reason for coming to the capital. There was no reason for him to stay in the capital any longer.

"Are we heading back to the Henituse territory sir?"
"Yes."

Beacrox closed the carriage door and immediately started to drive toward home.

"Human, are we going home to rest now?"
"Yes. I plan to rest for quite a while this time."

Cale answered Raon's question and leaned back into the chair. He should be able to roll around and do nothing for at least 6 months at minimum to a year at maximum.

Then, as long as he safely makes it through the war, what awaits him should be a nice and relaxing slacker's life.

"Cough." Adalie coughed, looking away when she saw TCF! Cale looking at her. She quickly put her phone back to her pocket with regret. 

'Damn it.' she thought. 'Why did he have to say, well think, that when I was in the chapter list of the novel?! Now it reminded me of his looonggg journey.'

***

However, Cale noticed something was off as soon as they returned home.

"What is going on?"
"That, you see, young master-nim."

Deputy butler Hans was naturally the one who came out to greet Cale.
But something was off.
Hans seemed worried.

"Oh, that's when..." TCF! Hans trailed off, glancing at TCF! Ron with sadness.

"Hurry up and tell me."

Cale did not look at Choi Han, Beacrox, On, and Hong who were behind him and instead only looked at Hans. He had a bad feeling. An ominous feeling filled his mind.

'Am I not going to be able to rest?'

Something must have happened, as the other servants and knights around Hans had the same expression.
Cale's mind became complicated in those short five seconds.

"Young master-nim, Mr. Ron has returned."
"Ron did?"
"My father?"
Both Cale and Ron's son, Beacrox, looked toward Hans with shock. Ron was not supposed to be back for a couple more months.

"Why does young master Cale have a bad feeling?" Dodori asked. "Shouldn't he be happy his butler came earlier?"

Hans then closed his eyes tightly. That made Cale have an even worse feeling.

Hans opened his eyes again and could not look at Beacrox as he continued to speak.

"Mr. Ron came back injured."
"Lead me there."

Hans, who saw Cale's stiff expression, quickly turned around and guided them into the residence. Cale followed him with Beacrox right next to him.

Hans guided Cale as quickly as possible and stopped in front of a room. It was not Ron's room but a luxurious bedroom that was reserved for high ranking guests.

"Open the door."
"Yes sir."

Hans opened the door after hearing Cale's stern command.

Creak.

The door opened and a terrible rotting smell filled Cale's nose.

The whales of both sides and TBOAH! Choi Han's group gasp, recognizing what it was.

"Young master-nim."

Cale stiffened up for the first time since coming over to this world.

"...Ron."

The assassin Ron, that sly old man, was laying on the bed.

"F, father!"

Beacrox rushed past Cale into the bedroom.

Cale looked into Ron's eyes and asked.

"...Ron, why is your arm like that?"

Ron had returned earlier than expected and one of his arms had been cut off.

"Ron." TCF! Basen said in shock, not knowing that it happened to him. Actually, both Henituse families and the TBOAH! world were shocked at what they just heard except TCF! Deruth who gave potions to TCF! Ron.

"W-wha..." TBOAH! Beacrox stuttered, not expecting to see his alternate father lose an arm when his father in his world didn't. "How did that happen?!"

"It will be explained in the next episode." TCF! Ron told his other self's son calmly.

"But your arm." TBOAH! Ron said with narrowed eyes, gazing at his other self's arm that was intact.

"Ah, this lovely miss did it for me." TCF! Ron said while pointing at TCF! Mary who only bowed slightly. "She's a necromancer."

"Okay, I'll give you all some time to chat." Adalie said before leaving, knowing that they had a lot to talk about.